Streets and Sanitation (DSS)

DSS provides a safe and healthy environment on the streets and alleys of Chicago

Tree Planting

The Bureau of Forestry plants trees along the public right-of-way throughout the City of Chicago. The benefits of trees are numerous and ever increasingly important in this age of climate change, in achieving a cleaner, greener, sustainable environment. For more than 175 years, Urbs in Horto (“City in a Garden”) has been Chicago’s motto. The Bureau of Forestry is working diligently to live up to this motto and make Chicago’s garden a better and more beautiful place for our residents, their children, and for future generations.

Some of the benefits of the Street Tree Planting Program include:

Improved Air Quality

Reduction of Emissions

Reduction of Smog

Reduction of Green House Gasses

Reduction of the “Urban Heat Island” Effect

Noise Abatement

Increased Psychological Well Being

Improved Aesthetics

Increased Property Values

Provision for Wildlife Habitat

Storm Water Attenuation

You can help our City in a Garden flourish by requesting a tree planting at your home or work place. Anyone seeking a new parkway tree should call the city’s non-emergency number at 311 or click on the button below to get started online. If dialing from an area outside the city limits, the request can be made by dialing 312.744.5000. All Service Requests are handled in the order in which they are received.

Once your request is received, your planting site will be investigated by Forestry Staff. The inspector will leave a card indicating the inspection was completed and requesting the resident call Forestry to confirm they would like a tree planted. You must leave a message with the 24 hour answering service at 312.742.8733 to confirm that you still would like the new tree to be planted. The Street Tree Planting Program is divided into two seasons, the spring planting season beginning April 1st, and the fall planting season beginning October 1st. The exact timing of each season varies based on weather and ground temperatures.

Please understand that certain species may not be available for planting at the time of your request but that every effort will be made to accommodate your second and third preference.

Please review the attached list of commonly planted species within the City of Chicago: